                                    VIDI
                              ROMBO Productions

VIDI VIDEO DIGITISER

INTRODUCTION 

VIDI is a video -frame grabber/digitiser specifically designed for 
use with the Amstrad CPC range of computers. 

With this package, it is possible to capture a picture from any  
standard video source, camera, video recorder, even other computers.  
You may then save this picture on disc or tape, produce dynamic  
effects, manipulate the picture or re_display it on your CPC computer  
screen. 

Pictures can be grabbed in MODE 2 (hi-resolution, 2 shades), MODE 1  
(med-resolution, 4 shades) or a special 16 shade MODE O synthesised  
picture. 

VIDI contains its own CRT controller and 16k of video RAM enabling it  
to capture a moving picture at over 6 frames per second. 

A ribbon cable with dual expansion connectors connects VIDI to the  
computer. A suitable video lead is also supplied, fitted with RCA  
(phono) and BNC (video) connectors. 

Software is provided in two forms, an interactive control program and  
BASIC extensions (RSX's) for simple control of the sophisticated VIDI  
hardware. 
  

CONNECTING UP 

1. Ensure that the computer is switched OFF. 

2. Attach the end of the VIDI ribbon cable to the expansion port of  
   the computer. See   Fig.l,   or   Fig.2   and  Fig.3  opposite. 
   Care should be taken not - to connect the ribbon cable upside down.  
   Vidi must be connected-so that the ribbon cable is at the bottom  
   and the  duplicate  edge  connector   is   at   the   top. 

3. Connect the phono end of the video cable to the socket on VIDI  
   and the BNC video plug to the VIDEO OUT* socket on your video  
   recorder or camera. 

4. If your VIDI software is on ROM then insert this into a free 
   socket in your ROM box as  detailed in its instructions. 

5. Switch on your video equipment. 

6. Switch on your computer and if fitted, the VIDI ROM will announce  
  Itself. If not insert the Disc or Tape supplied with the package  
  and Type :- 

  RUN "VIDI  for Disc/Cassette users  
   or |VIDI  for ROM users. < | is   obtained  by using  SHIFT  and @ ) 

7. You should now be watching Digitised pictures on your computer 
   screen! - if not read the 'Trouble Shooting' section. 
  

THE SOFWTARE 

TAPE: Side A of the cassette supplied contains the main VIDI command  
      obtained by typing RUN"VIDI". This is an interactive program  
      allowing complete yet simple control of the VIDI hardware.  
      Side B of the cassette contains the seperate commands to allow 
      you to develop your own BASIC software using the advanced  
      features of the VIDI hardware. 

DISC: The same two main parts of the VIDI software are on disc and  
      by Typing :- 

      RUN "DISC, you will be given the following menu: 

                 1.. Interactive VIDI command  
                 2.. Other RSX commands 

      To select the correct option, you should press the relevant  
      key, 1 or 2. Alternatively, instead of RUN"DISC type RUN"VIDI  
      for the interactive program or RUN"RSX for the seperate RSX 
      commands. 

ROM: The ROM software offers all the functions of the |VIDI command  
     and the RSXs without having to load in' these parts individually.  
     You will find that using the ROM is much more convenient than  
     cassette or disc and frees more memory for your own programs (see  
     appendix A for upgrade details). 

Using the |VIDI command 

The software supplied with your VIDI video digitiser is contained in  
RSX form. The most comprehensive of these RSX commands is IVIDI and  
this is the one we shall start with. 

At the bottom of your screen there is a MENU, this features a line of  
commands, one of which is highlighted (the GRAB option to start with)  
by a white bar, or cursor. To move this bar, we can use the left and  
right arrow keys on the keyboard or joystick. 

If you move the cursor left or right you will see it select in turn  
each option. At the edge of the screen it will 'wrap around* and  
appear at the other edge. 

When an option has been selected, the option values may be changed by  
pressing the up and down keys on the keyboard or joystick. 

1. The Brightness control 

Move the Menu bar to the 'BRGT-07' option. This is the software  
brightness control and its range is from O to IS. As this value is  
increased or decreased the picture will become brighter or darker  
accordingly, with 15 being the brightest. 

2. The Contrast control 

The contrast control, 'CONT' is operated in much the same way as the  
brightness. Increasing the contrast will give a bolder, more defined  
picture consisting of less intermediate shades. Similarly, lowering  
the contrast results in an increase in intermediate shades and a less  
defined picture, just as the contrast on a normal TV. 

3. The picture position controls 

A normal TV picture is slightly too large to be displayed on tlio  
computer screen, instead we look through a window' onto this larger  
area. The picture position controls allow us to scroll this window  
over the TV picture. 

It is possible to adjust the horizontal and vertical positions of the  
grabbed picture by changing the values next to the up-down and  
left-right arrows. Moving the Menu Bar to the left-right option and  
increasing or decreasing its value, will cause the picture to move 
slowly across the screen (between 0  and  31 on the control). 

The control for the vertical movement is operated in a similar way.  
However, beacuse the vertical position control has such a wide range  
of values (0-127), when the up or down key is kept pressed, the number  
will at first change in steps of one and then in jumps of four for  
ease and speed of use. 

4. Clearing, selecting, X option and the ESC key. 

All control options may be reset to their default values by using the  
CLR or DEL keys on the keyboard (the FIRE button on the joystick will  
also perform this action). 

Many options on the menus do not have values assigned to them, these  
options are associated with performing a function or moving to another  
menu. To use these other options, you can press any of COPY, SPACE,  
RETURN, ENTER or FIRE. 

The 'X' option is present in all menus. Its function is to return you  
to the last menu or, in the case of the main menu, to BASIC. Upon  
selecting the X option from the main menu, the computer will check  
that you really want to exit the program. Answer by pressing 'Y' or  
FIRE for YES and 'N' or any joystick direction for NO. For  
convenience, the 'X' key on the keyboard (X for exit!) or the 'ESC may  
be used to exit. 

When returning to BASIC using the 'X' option, information such as  
inks, mode etc. is restored to the state set before entering the VIDI  
program. IThis   only   applies   to   the   ROM   ver sion. ) 

5. The GRAB menu, X on this menu nill return you to the MAIN menu. 

Once you have decided that you are happy with the digitised picture,  
select GRAB and a new menu will appear. Notice that the picture has  
been 'frozen' - you have now selected that picture and can now do  
something with it. 

SAVE is used to save the picture to disc or tape. 

DUMP will print out a  copy  of  the  picture to an Epson compatible  
     printer using print routines unique to VIDI. 

FILE PRINT and controL are documented later. 

SWAP will allow you to swap between the picture you selected and the  
     previous frame - just in case  you  just missed it!. 

6. The FILE menu, X   will exit   to   the   CRAB   menu. 

SAVE does the same  as  the  save  option  in  the  GRAB menu, it  
     is repeated here for convenience. 

Filenames must be entered when saving, loading or deleting. When these  
options are selected, a prompt and a suggested name will appear. Using  
left and right keys, you can position the cursor in the filename and  
alter it as required. 

The method of inputting is very similar to the BASIC line editor. Left  
and right move the cursor (note that the cursor can also move over the  
X option, returning you to the GRAB menu) and CONTROL-left and  
CONTROL-right move to the start and end of the filename. DEL may be  
used to erase characters in the normal way and RETURN, ENTER or FIRE  
can be used to indicate that you are happy with the filename. A '?'  
may be used as a wildcard within the filename when DELETE is used. 

When editing disc filenames, you can also edit the file extension by  
typing a dot. This will clear upto the existing extension and allow  
you to type in a new one. 

LOAD option allows you to load a file to the screen. 
     If ART option is active a PALette file will also be loaded. 

DELETE allows you to delete unwanted files. 

CAT  will display a catalogue  of  the  disc or tape. 

  WARNING: using CAT will wipe out the other picture which can be  
  obtained by using SWAP. In 1 screen mode (see ConTRoL menu) the  
  picture will be lost entirely and cannot be regained. You have been  
  warned... 

BIN  is used to change the type of file used. 

  BIN is the normal screen only format (disc users are permitted to  
  alter the file extension). The other option ART saves two seperate  
  files. One is the palette file (with the extension '.PAL')  
  containing the screen mode and colours, folowed by the screen file  
  (with the extension '.SCR') which is the normal screen file. This  
  option is very useful for use in conjunction with 'The Art Studio'  
  from Rainbird as the palette and screen files are fully compatible,  
  (note: ART   is   invalid   in   Mode  0) 

DRV  The final entry on the FILE menu is the storage medium. 

  On a cassette only machine it will be permanently fixed at TAPE but  
  on a &&4/612B, it will default to DRV-A and can be changed to use  
  Drive B or Tape. 

7. The PRINT menu, X   returns   to   the   GRAB   menu. 

DUMP is the same as dump on the GRAB menu. 

   Whilst printing, you may press CLR w DEL to terminate the printing.  
   ESC may be used in emergencies, but due to the way that grapnic  
   printing works, could lock the printer ON LINE and you may need to  
   turn it off and on again to reset it. 
  

HORZ allows you to suloct the print direction. 

   H0RZ will print the screen across the paper, with enough room to  
   print two screens on one sheet. 

VERT prints the picture sideways on the paper producing a larger image  
     taking up a whole sheet. 

1-STRIKE refers to single  print  density  while 2-STRIKE will print  
  using double density. 

   A double density dump will produce a bolder image, but take  
   approximately twice as long to print. 

CR+LF Will select between CR ONLY and CR ? LF. 

  If it is found that there is a gap between every line printed, the  
  last option on this menu should be changed to CR ONLY instead of  
  CR+LF, this is to allow for printers that print an automatic line  
  feed every time a carriage return is received. 

8.   The ConTRoL Menu, X nill   return   you   to   the   GRAB   menu. 

INK  option sets the  colour  assigned  to a particular ink. 

    The first number is the ink number, the second is the colour  
    number. The up or down cursor will change the number that is  
    highlighted. The ink numbers cycle from 0 to 15 in Mode 0, 0 to  
    3 in Mode 1 and 0 to 1 in Mode-2 (different sets of colours are  
    held for each mode) at the end of each cycle there is also a  
    feature to change the border colour. If DEL or CLR is pressed  
    when the cursor is ovr the colour, that colour will be reset  
    to its default value. If the same is done over the ink number  
    then all the colours for that mode are reset. Note that in Mode 1  
    inks are in the order O, 1, 3, 2 with respect to brightness levels  
    due to the hardware design. 

2-SCR allows you to change the screen update method. 

    In 2-SCR mode, VIDI uses a technique of grabbing the picture to  
    memory before displaying it. The 1-SCR option will change this to  
    make use of only a single screen giving a 'rippling* effect when  
    grabbing a moving picture, but using less memory. 

MODE allows you to alternate between different screen resolutions. 

    The screen mode may be changed to accommodate Mode 2 (not to be  
    confused with the 2-SCR option!.). This mode has a higher  
    resolution but only two colours. When changing the screen mode, a  
    picture may be displayed in the wrong mode (which can give  
    strange effects). When you return to the MAIN menu, pictures will  
    be grabbed correctly in the mode that you have set. 

    In Mode 0 the screen uill be updated in Node 1 until the picture  
    is grabbed, when it uill change to Hode 0. tlode 0 is synthesised 
    by integrating 16 successive frames. This necessitates a still  
    video   source   (usually   a   video   earner a). 

VW  removes the Menu line and view the entire screen. 

    This is in case the bottom of the picture is incorrect. When  
    changing the vertical positioning, the end of the grabbed frame 
    may be visible as a black bar. When VW is selected, the menu will  
    vanish until you press any key, when it will return. 

NOTE: Pressing   "V"   on   the  MAIN menu  Hill   produce   the  
      same  result. 

RESET returns all parameters to  their original values. - except  
      the 1 or 2 screen flip mode. 

We have now covered all of the functions contained in the interactive  
VIDI software. If you have had difficulty in understanding any of the  
functions, read over the appropriate section again and experiment with  
the software itself. 
  

THE RSX COMMANDS 

As was previously mentioned, the software supplied can also operate  
using RSX 'bar' commands from BASIC. However, to write programs  
incorporating VIDI, you will need to have some knowledge of the BASIC  
programming language of the CPC computers. If you are unsure on  
programming techniques, see the example programs on the System disc  
supplied and consult your Amstrad User Guides. 

All the other external commands can be called directly or from a BASIC  
program. Most of the commands have parameters after them separated by  
commas, although default parameters are assumed if they are missing. 

When using BASIC 1.0 on the  464,  it is necessary to pass string  
variables to these routines by using a command such as: 

A$="FRED":|VIEW,@A$ 

whilst, if using BASIC 1.1, you may just type; 

|VIEW,"FRED" 

Commands are listed with their names and entry conditions. Default  
parameters are also listed. So, missing out a parameter in brackets  
will use that default value. 

Parameters called 'scr* refer to the screens at &4000 or &C000. A  
parameter of 0 represents the screen at &C000 and 1 uses the screen at  
&4000. If a 6128 is used, or an add-on 64k RamPack then frames can be  
grabbed or moved to the banked ram, with these blocks being addressed  
as screens 2-5. The default for this value is always ttie current  
screen. The commands are as follows s_ 

|VBANK,scr    For 12Bk CPC's. It allows selection of banks 2-5 
              into the memory location of bank 1 <8<4000> . 

              All commands (e.g. VGRAB) which write to the current 
              screen will update the selected Bank if VS,EE is set  
              to scr 1. N.B. The CPC hardware will continue to display  
              the original screen (1) if it is selected as the viewing 
              screen for example by VSEE,1. However the Firmware will  
              write to the new Bank. The viewed screen, therefore,  
              remains unchanged. 

|VBORDER,n    Sets the Border colour to n (0 - 26). 

|VIDI(,s)     Enter  the  interactive   program.   Parameter  S 
************  should be 1 or  2  to  set  1-SCR or 2-SCR modes. 
* RON ONLY *  Unless using ROM, this  command  is seperate from 
************  all the others due to space limitations. 

|VBRI(,n)     Sets the brightness to n.  Default=7. 

|VCLEAR(,l,r,t,b)(,scr>  
              Clears window (left,right,top,bottom) on specified 
              screen to current |VPAPER ink. Default is current  
              |VWINDOW coordinates and current screen. If only one  
              parameter is present it is assumed to be 'scr'. See  
              section on WINDOWS for details  of  specifying  
              coordinates. 

|VC0N(,n)     Sets the contrast to n.  Default=7 

|VCONVERT(,scr)  
              Swaps inks 2 and 3 on screen (works in mode 1 only).  
              This is useful when dealing with other printer or  
              graphics routines that need the ink brightness to be in  
              the order 0,1,2,3 instead of 0,1,3,2 (the built-in print  
              routine will cope with either). 

|VCOPY (,sscr (,dscr))  
              Copies a screen from source scr, to destination scr.  
              If only one parameter is present it is assumed to be the  
              source with the current screen as destination. 

|VDUMP(,p)    Dumps current screen to EPSON compatible printer  
              using 27 possible shades for displayed colours. The  
              parameter is bit significant: 

                  Bit=0 (off)            |    Bit=1 (on) 
                 ------------------------+------------------------  
                  Bit 0 = CR + LF        | CR ONLY         (add 1) 
                  Bit 1 = Normal Density | Double Density  (add 2) 
                  Bit 2 = Horizontal     | Vertical        (add 4) 
  

              If you are unsure of Binary arithmetic, to select the  
              functions you want on the right of the table just add  
              together the number listed by them. 

              e.g. |VDUMP,6  would  print  a  vertical  double density  
              screen giving  carriage  returns and line feeds.  
              Default=last setting. 

|VGET(,scr>   Grab a  frame  to  a  screen  without  doing  any 
              setting up. VGET is slightly faster that VGRAD. 

|VGRAB( ,scr)  Grabs a -frame to a screen, setting up colours, 
               made, screen offset (in case screen has been scrolled)  
               etc. Note that values for colour and mode are held  
               seperate from the normal BASIC values. (See |VMODE  
               |VINK  etc.) 

|VIEW,filename Takes a string parameter and loads and displays a  
               palette and screen file. Compatible with Rainbird's 
               'Art  Studio'. Only specify the name part when using  
               disc _ not drive, user or extension. 

|VINK(,i(,c))  Sets ink 'i' to colour 'c' for current VMODE. If 'c'  
               is missed out, colour will default to its normal  
               setting and if no parameters are specified, all inks  
               for that mode will be reset. 

|VMODE(,m)     Sets current grab mode to mode 'm'. Default=1. 

|VPAGE(,m(,scr))  
               Converts screen into a form suitable for AMX  
               PageMaker program. PageMaker has the -facility for  
               loading in Mode 0 or Mode 1 screens and converting  
               them to its normal Mode 2. However, the inks must be  
               in a specific order of brightness, SVPAGE will perform  
               this conversion for normal VIDI screens. The screen  
               should be saved after |VPAGE by using the BASIC save  
               command   -e.g.  

                            10   LOAD "VIDISCR4.BIN",&C000 
                            20   |VPAGE,1,0   ;REM   mode   1,screen 0 
                            30   SAVE "PAGESCR4",b,&C000,&4000  

               Default _ current mode  and  screen.  If only one  
               parameter is present it is assumed to be 'scr' 

|VPAPER(,i)     Sets background paper ink for |VCLEAR.  Default=0. 

|VREAD(,x,y)    Reads data from currently defined scan window  
               (see SVSCAN) and displays it at screen position x,y.  
               (see the WINDOWS section further on for details of the  
               x,y coordinate system). The whole scan window is forced  
               to lie within the screen boundary. Default=original  
               scan window position. If VMODE=0 then no action is 
               taken. 

|VRESET        Resets all RSX parameters to their default values. 

|VSCAN         Scans a frame into  VIDI  ram, without displaying it,  
               used in conjunction with iVREAD for grabbing and  
               displaying windows (see the |VWINDOWS section). 

|VSEE,scr      Reset  screen  offset  (if   scrolled)  and  view  
               screen 0 or 1. Useful for flipping between screens  
               after grabbing. 

                   NOTE: If screen 1 (&4000) is used care must be 
                   taken not to overnrite any program or data that 
                   is residing there _ possibly causing the computer 
                   to 'crash'. This can be avoided by setting HIMEM 
                   to  &3FFF (MEMORY &3FFF) before   using   the 
                   RSX's. 

|VSET          Set up VIDI values  in  preparation for grabbing. 
               Note: |VSETKVGET is equivalent to '.VGRAB. 

|VSMALL,x,y    This command has the same restrictions as |VREAD, see  
               manual.  It  will  scan  a  complete  screen, compress  
               it down to quarter size then display it on the current  
               screen, at position x,y. 

|VSPRITE,l,r,t,b,x,y(,sscr(,dscr))  
               Copy a window from one area of the screen to another.  
               Parameters are left, right, top, bottom of the source  
               window and x, y of the top left corner of the 
               destination - all in VIDI coordinates (1,1 to 80,200)  
               all must be present. If both screen parameters are  
               omitted the current screen is used, if one screen  
               parameter is present then it assumed to be the source,  
               with the current screen as the destination. 

|VWIND0W(,l,r,t,b) Sets a scan window for  iVREAD to use. Parameters 
               are - left,  right,  top,  bottom. The coordinate 
               system used is 1 to 80  for 'x' (columns) left to right  
               and 1 to 200 for 'y' (rows) top to bottom. 0 means the  
               relevant edge of the screen, i.e.Parameters of 0,0,0,0  
               means the whole screen. 

               The window defined has a maximum full screen of 80  
               columns and 200 lines, where top left = 1,1. bottom  
               right = 80,200. When a window is defined, VIDI uses it  
               for the IVREAD and SVCLEAR commands. Default=whole  
               screen. 

|VXP0S(,n)     Sets horizontal frame position. 0-31. Default=16. 

|VYP0S(,n)     Sets vertical frame position. 0-127. Default=48. 

TROUBLE SHOOTING 

Video signals from different manufacturers equipment vary considerably  
and since it is impossible for us at Rombo Productions to test out  
every conceivable video source, some fine tuning may be required to  
obtain optimum results. 

If VIDI is not displaying a picture at all then first check that the  
unit has been installed correctly. Check all connections, particularly  
the VIDEO OUT on the video. This is almost always directly beside the  
VIDEO IN with an identical socket, make sure you have connected the  
right one. 

If your camera/video does not have a BNC type of socket, check that the  
VIDEO OUT signal is actually composite video and not RGB or modulated  
RF. It ic possible to convert RGD into composite video via a patch lead  
- check with your video supplier, however, RF (or TV) modulated signals 
are not suitable for VIDI. Some videos are fitted with phono sockets for 
VIDEO OUT and in this case you will require a phono/phono cable _ available  
from hi-fi or video shops. A few videos and televisions are fitted with 
a SCART interface (Peritel in France). Suitable composite video is 
available from this interface via the correct lead - consult your  
video dealer. 

VIDI will only grab a frame  after  the detection of a vertical sync  
.pulse within a certain amount of  time.  Some videos produce erratic  
sync pulses on  pause  and  fast  search  and  VIDI  may not respond  
correctly in this mode. 
The aspect ratio of the grabbed picture is controlled by a small blue  
adjustable resistor situated near to the edge connector lying flat on  
the VIDI board. This is calibrated before depatch, and as this setting 
interacts with the software controlled horizontal position it should  
only be adjusted with care. This adjustable resistor also controls the 
detection of sync signals to a small degree, if your screen looks like  
a chessboard when first switched on (with the video attached) turn this 
control clockwise until the screen displays the video picture. 
All video pictures produce signals of varying strengths. The digital 
contrast and brightness controls are initially set by on board variable 
resistors. These are the blue square components situated and labelled  
next to the VIDEO IN connector. The CONTR. and BRIGHT controls are 
calibrated by ROMBO, so before adjusting, the original setting should  
be noted. The CONTRAST control is unlikely to be of any use but the  
BRIGHTNESS control is useful to give fine adjustments for the software 
settings. This is especially so when using Mode 0, as the software  
contrast and brightness settings are ignored. Use the external BRIGHTNESS 
control to set the overall brightness of Mode 0. 

TECHNICAL DETAILS 

The Amstrad Computer screen has a maximum resolution of 610 horizontal  
pixels by 200 vertical lines. An average TV picture has a definition  
greater than this, so compromises have to be made somewhere!. 
To maintain a correct aspect ratio on the computer screen, the VIDI 
frame store is 'windowed' over the TV picture and grabs some 757. of  
this picture. However if required clever use of the RSX commands can 
enable whole frames to be stored and 'edited' together. 
The software Contrast and Brightness controls do not actually modify 
the video signal, instead they alter the digital sampling width (contrast) 
and level (brightness). Practice may be required to understand their  
actual effect on the sampled picture. 
The VIDI hardware stores the grabbed frame into its own internal memory, 
from where it can be moved to the computers screen or other memory. 

In 2-SCR mode, two screens are filled and displayed alternately. These 
are located at addresses &C000 (the normal screen) and &4000, each  
occupying &4000 bytes(l6K). When using this mode, it is advisable to 
set HIMEM in BASIC to be <3FFF (16383>or less to avoid program or 
variables being overwritten. 

1-SCR mode will always use the standard screen at &C000 and HIMEM 
need not be altered. To enter the program in a specific SCR mode, 
use |VIDI,l or |VIDI,2. 

We are pleased to help with any technical queries relating to VIDI 
and receive suggestions for future enhancements. 

Software upgrades and developed applications will be made available 
from time to time for a nominal charge (media cost + PI.P). If you 
have any routines or programs you would like us to include please  
send them to the above address (copyright will be public domain). 
Thank you. 

ROM SOFTWARE UPDATE 

The VIDI software is available on ROM from us direct at a cost of 
only GBP 4.95 including VAT and P&P. This ROM will require a rom box 
to be of any use. 
The original ROMBO B-Rom box is ideal for use with VIDI. It costs 
GBP 34.95 inc. and ordered with the VIDI ROM upgrade the ROM is included 
FREE - i.e. GBP 34.95 for both ROMBO + ROM! Please send cheque with  
order or any enquiries direct to: 

ROMBO Productions 
6 Fairbairn Road, 
Kirkton North, Livingston, 
Scotland EH54 6TS 
Tel. 0506 414631 
Fax. 0506 414634 

PAGE MAKER OVERLAY 

There is a file included on  the VIDI disc called PAGEMAKE. OVT. This 
is an overlay file allowing VIDI to  be used within the AMX PageMaker 
program.  The PA6EMAKE.OVT file  should  be  copied onto your working 
copy of the Pagemaker  disc  by  running  PAGEMAKE.BAS.   The VIDI is 
accessed via the 'SCANNER' option within Pagemaker. 
AMX PageMaker works in mode 2. The SCANNER option allows VIDI to grab 
pictures direct to the screen in mode 2. When you select 'SCANNER'  
you will notice a status line appear underneath the command - 

            Brightness  8 Vertical 64 Horizontal  22 

The brightness refers to the iVBRI parameter in VIDI. It can be  
increased by pressing the EXECUTE button. When it goes past IS it  
will wrap around to 0. 

The keyboard cursor keys are used to control the Vertical  
and Horizontal settings. The frame can be positioned so that  
any part of the picture is available to any part of the screen  
window. 

The MOVE button will freeze the current frame whilst pressed. 

The CANCEL button will capture the current frame and return to the 
PageMaker options. 

If a GRAPHICS WINDOW is currently defined within PageMaker then VIDI  
will only grab into the part of the screen lying inside the graphics window. 

This feature, for example, allows powerful dynamic displays to be  
generated with text and moving pictures on the screen at once! 

Pictures requiring better shading than mode 2 should be grabbed and  
saved outside of PageMaker using the normal VIDI commands in mode 0 or  

1. We have achieved best results with mode 1. After conversion with  
the |VPAGE command these can be loaded into PageMaker via the  
FILE - SCREENS option. Remember the top of the screen is lost  
when loading into PageMaker so frame your picture accordingly. 

The  BASIC  Programs. 

Several BASIC programs are included on the VIDI disc as examples  
of using the VIDI RSX tfommands. 

Me recommend that you load and list these programs to see just  
how simple it is to produce apparently complex digitised  
displays. 

The BASIC programs all have a filetype of *.BAS*. 

The start of each program listing contains notes on the use  
and function of the RSX commands within the program. 
  
  
  
  
  

This package is Copyright 1986, ROMBO Productions. 

All rights reserved. The hardware and software design and composition  
of VIDI are copyright. The software may only be copied by the  
owner for backup purposes. No part of the software may be  
incorporated into other distributed programs without the prior  
written consent of the copyright holder. Any digitised pictures  
or effects produced with VIDI are NOT subject to this copyright  
except for the above conditions. 

Hardware design and concepts - Colin Faulkner and Marcus Sharp. 
Software design and programs - Keith Wilson 
Printer dump routines        - Richard Siddons-Corby. 
